Sales promotion-Sure Way of Increasing Consumers Brand loyalty

By Joshua Nyamache

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In the present world we have consumer oriented markets. Sales promotion techniques are a must for the survival of any business. Consumers are always right regarding what they want. How do you come to know what they want? You only come to know their wants if only you conduct marketing research.

It is critical for you to inform your consumers about when, how and at what price your products are available. How do you inform them? Advertisements reach consumers at their homes, working places etc but Sales promotion techniques inform, remind or stimulate the consumers at the point of purchase.

Nine Sales Promotion Techniques

1. Sampling

In sampling you give free samples to consumers so as to create demand by increasing their interest towards your products. This is used in introducing a new product to consumers. It is used to give consumers a chance of comparing the product with other available substitutes. It is expensive if you implement it.

2. Coupon

You supply the product along with coupons. A coupon is a certificate that reduces the price. And, it is effective when selling new products, increasing sales for an already established product, encouraging repeated sales and in switching the consumers from using competitor's brands to yours.

3. Demonstration

This is where you educate the consumers on how to use your product. You use it in attracting their attention. It is suitable where the products are complex and technical in nature.

4. Contest

You conduct it to attract new consumers or in introducing new products to consumers. You ask the consumers to state in few words why they prefer using your products. For the consumers to enter into the contest, they have to purchase your product and submit evidence that they used your product which is attached to the entry form contest.

Your business tests the consumer’s skill and ideas about the use of the product. The best consumer is awarded the prize. This creates a new demand and strengthens consumer’s loyalty for your brand.

5. Premium Offer

This is where you temporarily reduce the price so as to increase consumer’s instincts. They are of five types; direct premium, reusable container, free in mail premium, self liquidating premium and trading stamps.

6. Price off Offer

You use this type of promotion to stimulate sales during a lamp slump season. You give a temporary discount to your consumers.

7. Consumer Sweepstakes

Consumers submit their names so that you include them in the list of prize contestants. This is done by giving tickets to your consumers. At your own schedule you carry out draw lots and the best winner is awarded a prize.

8. Buy Back Allowance

You give consumers rewards for the previous trade deals based on the quantity they had purchased.

9. Free Trials

You invite potential consumers to try your products without any payments hoping that they buy them. Through it, you create new demand for your products.

Go ahead and use these sales promotion techniques in your business.